Robert James Bassett died June 30, 2019, in Palmer, AK, at age 89.
Born July 16, 1929, in LaSalle, IL, to Frank and Irene Bassett, the family moved to the Tomahawk area where, for many years, they operated Bassett Point Resort on the Willow Flowage. After serving in the US Army in Korea, Robert married Josephine Kolbeck in 1953 and the couple had six children. He worked in law enforcement, serving as Sheriff of Lincoln County, before moving to Alaska in 1974 where he worked on the pipeline and at the Port of Valdez until retirement in 2003. His passion was fishing for salmon and halibut on Prince William Sound.
Mr. Bassett is survived, and will be greatly missed, by his loving children, Roberta (Dean) Grube, Phillips, WI; Elizabeth (Donald Castle), Antoinette, Theresa Dolan and Daniel, all of Anchorage, AK; and JoAnn (Scott) Berrier, Washington, D.C.; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; a sister, Gloria White, Tomahawk; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife; a sister, Evelyn Echols; and by brothers, Coleman and Kenneth.
A private family service was held on Cook Inlet in Anchorage.